Universal eyewear

ABSTRACT

An eyewear system including eyeglasses having first and second lenses; first and second nose pads; and a bridge operably connecting the first and second lenses, the bridge being bendable from a bridge rest position to permit relative movement between the first and second nose pads and providing a bridge pinch force of 50 g or less between the nose pads when the nose pads are moved 7 mm or less from the bridge rest position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.14/284,879, filed May 22, 2014; which is a continuation-in-part ofpending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/899,606, filed May 22, 2013, whichis a continuation of PCT/IB2011/055208, filed Nov. 21, 2011, whichinternational application claimed priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/344,930, filed Nov. 22, 2010.

Application Ser. No. 14/284,879, filed May 22, 2014, also claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/826,127, filed May 22, 2013. The disclosures of all of these priorapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to eyewear and in particular to Pince-Nezeyeglasses (i.e., two lens eyewear lacking temple pieces) that arecomfortable, stable and have universal fit while still having full sizedoptics. The eyeglasses of this invention are also thin, light and easilystored.

There are over 40 million people in the US that use reading glassesknown as readers. Current readers typically purchased in a drug store orother mass merchandisers are designed to fit most people by using thenose as a resting place. Since nose width, angle and shape varyconsiderably among users, standard readers achieve their stability viathe temple pieces placed above and behind the user's ears.

Users wear readers at a different place down their nose in order toallow them to look over the lenses of the readers and to change thedistance from the lens to the eye to adjust their effective power. Thetemple pieces of standard readers are usually long enough to accommodatethese different positions without loss of stability of the eyeglasses onthe user's face.

Most Pince-Nez eyeglasses apply a significant clamping force on the nosein order to stabilize the lenses on the wearer's face. To provide auniversal fit, Pince-Nez eyeglasses should accommodate noses of varyingsizes and shapes at varying wearing locations while maintainingstability without user discomfort. Many Pince-Nez eyeglass designs failto meet this standard, however. For example, while attaching Pince-Nezeyeglasses on the pliable tissues over the nostrils might help attachthe eyeglasses to any size nose, most users would find this attachmentlocation to be uncomfortable because it restricts breathing, and theglasses would be too far away from the eyes.

Another common problem with readers is their availability when needed.While the temple pieces of standard readers can be folded toward thelenses to reduce the storage size of the eyeglasses, the temple piecestake up storage space, and the overall volume of the storageconfiguration of the readers may limit their accessibility. BecausePince-Nez eyeglasses do not have temple pieces, they present newopportunities for storage and accessibility.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to universal Pince-Nez eyeglasses for useas readers and/or as sunglasses. The invention also relates toeyeglasses systems including eyeglasses and storage cases for theeyeglasses.

One aspect of the invention provides an eyewear system includingeyeglasses having first and second lenses; first and second nose pads;and a bridge operably connecting the first and second lenses, the bridgebeing bendable from a bridge rest position to permit relative movementbetween the first and second nose pads and providing a bridge pinchforce of 50 g or less between the nose pads when the nose pads are moved7 mm or less from the bridge rest position. In some embodiments, thefirst and second nose pads are operably connected to the first andsecond lenses, respectively, via connectors adapted to permit relativemovement between the first and second nose pads and the first and secondlenses, respectively, and providing first and second pad forcesresisting relative movement between the first and second nose pads andthe first and second lenses from rest positions, the first and secondpad forces being less than the bridge pinch force. The first and secondnose pads may each have a cantilever extending from its respectiveconnector. In some embodiments, the bridge force is a spring forcehaving a spring constant greater than a spring constant of thecantilever of the first nose pad and the second nose pad.

In some embodiments, the nose pads are adapted to exert less than 150g/cm² of pressure on a nose of a user when the eyeglasses are mounted onthe nose. The nose pads may each include friction material, such asmaterial having a friction coefficient less than 3.5.

Some embodiments of the eyewear system also include a case adapted toreceive the eyeglasses, the case and eyeglasses being sized so that thebridge bends from its rest position when the eyeglasses are within thecase. The bridge may be adapted to provide a retention force between theeyeglasses and the case when the eyeglasses are disposed within thecase. In some embodiments, the case may also have offset frame guidessized and configured with respect to the eyeglasses to engage and foldthe eyeglasses as the eyeglasses are inserted into the case.

In some embodiments, the case may also have a locking element adapted tohold the eyeglasses within the case. The case may also have an openingadapted to receive the eyeglasses, the locking element being disposed toblock the opening in a first position and to permit access to theopening in a second position. The case may also have a rotatableconnection adapted to permit the locking element to rotate between thefirst position and the second position.

In some embodiments, the case also has a keychain connector. Thekeychain connector may be disposed on the locking element.

In some embodiments, the bridge of the eyeglasses has an adjustableat-rest length. In some embodiments the bridge may be connected to thefirst and second lenses. The bridge may also include first and secondadjustable connectors adapted to move with respect to the first andsecond lenses, respectively, to change an effective length of thebridge.

In some embodiments, the first and second nose pad connectors areconnected to the first and second optical lenses, respectively. In someembodiments, the first and second nose pad connectors are adjustable tochange a width between the first and second nose pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe claims that follow. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of Pince-Nez eyeglasses according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG.1A.

FIG. 2 plots the distance between the tops of the nose pads versus thedistance between the bottoms of the nose pads for a variety of userswearing the eyeglasses of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 compares the nose pinch force provided by a variety of Pince-Nezeyeglasses.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of eyeglasses and caseaccording to another embodiment of the invention in which the eyeglassesare stored flat.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an embodiment of eyeglasses and caseaccording to another embodiment of the invention in which the eyeglassesare stored in a folded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of eyeglasses and caseaccording to yet another embodiment of the invention in which theeyeglasses are stored in a folded configuration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 with thelocking band in a locked position.

FIG. 8 is sectional view of the case of FIG. 4 without the eyeglasses.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of yet another embodiment of theeyeglasses of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses ofthis invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another case for use witheyeglasses according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior art Pince-Nez eyewear (seewwwdotendotwikipediadotorg/wiki/Pince-nez) typically utilize nose padsthat are directly or indirectly attached to the lenses or lens frame. Asa result, any changes to the distance between nose pads affect thedistance between the lenses and their angular orientation and positionwith respect to the eyes, which can induce optical prism, introduceerror in the optical cylinder axis or affect the lens aesthetics. Thevarying distance between the nose pads of prior art Pince-Nez eyewearfurther changes the nose clamp spring force, resulting in aninconsistent pinch force for different users, an unstable fit for someand discomfort for others. The large pinch force can also lead to tissueischemia, adding to user discomfort.

The present invention provides eyeglasses that are comfortable andstable on noses of nearly all sizes and shapes. Typical reading glassesweigh over 20 g, even foldable compact versions (e.g., MicroVision) withsmaller lenses weigh over 14 g. It will be appreciated that in aPince-Nez design, the weight of the eyewear is important for bothstability on the nose and comfort. Heavier eyewear without ear piecesrequires more clamping force to maintain stability on the nose becauseof the increased weight and the increased mechanical moment which causesinstability when the user moves their head up and down or from side toside. Since the clamping force translates to pressure exerted by thenose pads on the tissue, a larger clamping force can lead to userdiscomfort, pain and in extreme cases, tissue ischemia. Thus, in someembodiments, the eyeglasses reduce the pinching pressure required tomaintain a stable position by reducing the mass of the full size opticsand hence reducing inertia caused by head movement and gravitationalpull and increase the area of the thin nose pads to distribute the forceand hence reduce the pressure further.

In addition, some embodiments of the eyewear of this inventionoptionally increase the friction between the eyewear and the nose skinby utilizing novel nose pad materials. Such eyewear further reduces theclamping force required for stability while reducing the force causingslippage off the nose.

Some embodiments of the Pince-Nez eyewear of this invention provide thenose pinch force with a super elastic bridge spring whose force does notchange significantly as a function of nose width. For example, theeyewear may employ thin super elastic alloy wire made from Nitinol tointerconnect the lenses (referred to herein as a lens bridge). Asuperelastic bridge allows repeated transformation from a worn positionto a folded position for storage while exerting repeatable, controlledand nearly constant low pinch force for varying bridge deformation causeby varying width noses during wear. This feature combined with use ofthin molded polycarbonate lenses results in Pince-Nez reading eyewear alarge viewing zone for reading comfortably without lens distortion andwithout the usability compromises often inflicted by compact readingglasses.

Some embodiments of the Pince-Nez eyewear of this invention provideelongated thin nose pads or folding nose pads whose specific separationdistance allows the top of the pad to engage the nose via the forcecreated by bridge spring while the bottom of the nose pad can flex orpivot to accommodate different nose angles and thus prevent the glassesfrom tipping forward.

One embodiment of the eyeglasses of this invention is shown in FIG. 1.The eyeglasses 100 include full sized lenses 101 over molded on anitinol wire bridge 102 (NDC, Fremont Calif.) with diameter of 0.010″ to0.030″ (e.g., 0.020″) covered with an elastomer 111. The lenses may beclear optical lenses for reading glasses or tinted sunglass lenses.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lenses 101 are moldedpolycarbonate optical lenses less than 3 mm thick weighing less than 5grams for 2.5 diopter full sized reading glasses with lens optical areaof over 9 cm². For lower optical powers or smaller optical area, thelens thickness and reader's weight can be reduced even further. Forsunglasses or 3D glasses with no optical power the lenses can be lessthan 2 mm thick for any optical zone.

The lenses 101 are attached to the super elastic bridge 102, as shown.In alternative embodiments, the lenses can be attached to a frame, withthe bridge forming part of the frame or extending between two framesections.

In the illustrated embodiment, the eyeglasses have nose pads 103 thatare no wider than the lens thickness. In this embodiment, the nose pads103 are 13 mm long (+/−4 mm). Nose pads 103 are attached to the lenses101 (or, if there is an optional frame, to the frame) at their upperends 104 and are free at their lower ends 105 to form cantileversextending downward. In one embodiment, there is a 12 mm (+/−3 mm)separation between the tops 104 of the nose pads 103, and the nose pads103 extend downward at an angle 107 of 18°+/−4° from the vertical intheir rest positions.

In some embodiments, the nose pads are formed from a flexible material,such as 0.005-0.020″ (e.g., 0.010″) inch thick polycarbonate. In suchembodiments, the nose pad material, shape and cantilever connectionpermit the nose pads 103 to bend with a spring constant that is lessthan the spring constant of the bridge 102. The nose pads 103 cantherefore flex to accommodate the nose geometry while permitting theentire nose pad to maintain contact with the nose.

In some embodiments, a 10 mm long super elastic bridge 102 exerts apinch force measured at the tops 104 of the nose pads 103 of less than10 g on a narrow nose width of 12 mm, and less than 50 g (0.05 N) on alarge nose width of 19 mm (all measurements+/−20%), as it flexes throughangle 108 to accommodate various width noses. The 13.5 mm long nose pads103 are 2 mm wide providing a total area of 0.24 cm² and thus averagepressure well less than 150 g/cm².

The nose pads 103 may have an optional friction material (e.g.,laminated onto an elastic member, such as the polycarbonate describedabove) to further increase the stability of the eyeglasses on the noseby minimizing slippage force due to the component of the pinch forcealong the surface of the skin and rotation moment due to the eyeglasses'center of mass. The friction can be created by low durometer elastomerssuch as 3M grip tape (GM613, 3M MN, ASTM 1894 coefficient of frictionmeasured against the same material of less than 3.5), silicone, opencell polyurethane, or micro texture sufficient to grip the skin but notto cause discomfort such as textured polymer (polycarbonate embossedwith micro machined or micro molded texture) or micro grit impregnatedsurface (60-400 grit).

Test data comparing various Pince-Nez eyeglass designs are shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 plots the distance (as determined by opticalmeasurements) between the tops 104 of the nose pad 103 versus thedistance between the bottoms 105 of the nose pads 103 for a variety ofusers (having a variety of nose sizes and shapes) each wearing theeyeglasses embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The average top distancewas 16.1 mm (STD 2.4 mm) with a range of 10.6-19.8 mm and a bottomdistance of 23.9 mm (STD 3.1) with a range of 15.4-27.9 mm. As can beappreciated from the linear regression line 401, no one line can bedrawn so that all the users would experience proper fit. Thesemeasurements were made with the test frame positioned on the appropriatelocation on the nose bridge; in practice, users vary the location of theeyeglasses on their nose based on the task which adds furthervariability to the data. As observed in many fit studies, if the bottomsof the nose pads contact the nose while the top pads do not due to theangle and separation, the bottom contact point becomes a pivot point andthe glasses easily tip over and fall off the face when the user tiltstheir head downward to read a tablet or menu. If the top of the nosepads contacts the nose, it becomes the pivot point and the glasses tipover making them no longer perpendicular to the visual axis compromisingtheir usefulness.

FIG. 3 compares the nose pinch force (measured at the top of thenosepads) provided by a variety of Pince-Nez eyeglasses. The embodimentshown by FIGS. 1A and 1B is represented by line 402. As can be seen, theeyeglasses of this invention provide lower pinch forces than the othereyeglasses tested across a range of nose sizes.

In some embodiments, the eyeglasses are designed to fit in compactstorage cases, as discussed in more detail below. For example, theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be stored flat in a case 202extending from a housing 206 designed to be attached to the back of acell phone 201, as shown in FIG. 4. Case 202 has an opening 204 at itstop into which the eyeglasses 100 may be inserted. In some embodiments,the eyeglasses 100 are slightly longer than the case 202, and theeyeglasses are therefore bent at the bridge 102 during insertion. Insuch embodiments, the spring action of the bridge 102 may help retainthe eyeglasses in the case. Optional retention features, such assurfaces 501 and 502, may be provided inside the case to hold theeyeglasses within the case, as shown in the cut-away view of FIG. 8. Inthis optional embodiment, the eyeglasses bend at bridge 102 as they areinserted through opening 204 into case 202, then unbend slightly as thelenses pass surfaces 501 and 502. Likewise, to remove the eyeglassesfrom case 202, the eyeglasses bend at bridge 102 when the lenses movetoward each other as the eyeglasses are pulled through opening 204.

An optional cut-away portion 203 may leave the bridge 102 exposed afterinsertion so that the eyeglasses may be easily extracted from the case.In some embodiments, protruding portions of the eyeglasses (such as,e.g., features 109 and 110 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) may provide afriction fit between the eyeglasses 100 and the inside of case 202. Insome embodiments an internal storage volume of the case 202 is less than14 cm³ for a full 40 mm wide optical zone 2.5 diopter readers storedflat as shown in FIG. 4, and the case 202 is less than 4 mm thick.

FIGS. 5-7 show embodiments of Pince-Nez eyeglass cases in which theeyeglasses are folded for storage. In FIG. 5, the eyeglasses 100 arebent at the bridge 102 to place one lens 101 over the other lens 101.Eyeglasses 100 may be inserted through an opening 302 on one end of thecase 301. The spring force of the superelastic bridge 102 and thefriction fit between the eyeglasses and the interior of the case 301maintain the position of eyeglasses 100 within case 301. Bridge 102extends through opening 302 as shown to provide structure to grab forremoval of eyeglasses 100 from case 301. In this embodiment, the case301 may be only 9 mm thick or less.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, eyeglasses 100 may be insertedthrough an opening 804 for storage within an eyeglass case 801. Alocking band 802 rotates around pivot 803 to open the case 801 (as shownin FIG. 6) or close it (as shown in FIG. 7). Bridge 102 may be insertedfirst, as shown, and a pair of optional offset guides 803 and 804 helpmove the one lens 101 over the other lens 101 as the eyeglasses areadvanced into case 801. An optional keychain hook 806 may be providedfor attachment of the case to a keychain or other holder. The expandingforce of superelastic bridge 102 causes the eyeglasses to move againstthe internal surfaces of the case and helps retain the eyeglasses in thecase.

An alternative embodiment of the eyeglasses is shown in FIG. 9. In thisembodiment, the nose pads 600 are wider than the thickness of the lens101. The nose pads therefore are designed to fold for storage. Foreyeglasses intended to be stored flat, the nose pads must fold to athickness equal to or less than the thickness of the lenses. Foreyeglasses intended to be stored in a folded configuration, the nosepads must fold to a thickness equal to or less than the combinedthicknesses of the two lenses.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the nose pad 600 is formed from alaminate 602 made from friction enhancing material and polycarbonate(0.01″ thick) and is attached to the bridge 601 at the top point. Nosepad 600 offers the same spring action described above (i.e., it has aspring constant less than the spring constant of bridge 102) butdistributes the pinch force over a larger area. When stored, the nosepad folds along line 603 to become flat.

Yet another configuration is shown in FIG. 10. Eyeglasses 1000 havelenses 1001 connected by a superelastic bridge 1002. Nose pads 1009 withfriction material facing the nose are connected to the lenses 1001 bynose pad carriers 1008 and super elastic torsion members such as nitinolwires 1011 (0.02″ diameter or less) and fold into the plane of thelenses when the lenses are inserted into a case or are folded flatagainst each other. The torsion element provides the spring force toengage the nose with the pad as well as torsion force to restore thisorientation when withdrawn from a case thus making the glasses ultracompact and easy to store and carry.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may be full size sunglasses having a 62mm wide optical zone and weighing less than 7 g. The sunglasses may bestored in a flat configuration or in a folded configuration, asdescribed above, in a case with an internal volume less than 10 cm³.

The embodiment of FIG. 10 also provides adjustable positions for thebridge 1002 and nose pads 1009 to accommodate a range of nose sizes fora comfortable and secure fit. Superelastic nitinol bridge 1002 isattached to two thin bridge carriers 1003 that can slide on the backsurface of the lenses. Plastic or metal rivets 1006 whose heads aretrapped by holes on the front of each lens penetrate serrated channels1005 in the carriers 1003. The rivets are attached to the nose padcarriers 1008 so that as the lenses are pushed toward each other thenose bridge narrows to accommodate narrower noses.

FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a flat glasses case 1101attached to a housing 1103 via elastic connections 1105, 1106, 1107, and1108. Housing 103 may be designed to attach to a cell phone. Elasticconnections 1105-1108 permit the distance between case 1101 and housing1103 to be increased to allow the user to use the space between theglasses case 1101 and the housing 1103 as a compact wallet carryingmoney, ID or credit cards 1104.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eyewear system comprising eyeglassescomprising: first and second lenses; first and second nose pads operablyconnected to the first and second lenses, respectively, and adapted topermit relative movement between the first and second nose pads and thefirst and second lenses, respectively, to provide first and second padforces resisting relative movement between the first and second nosepads and the first and second lenses from rest positions; and a bridgeoperably connecting the first and second lenses, the bridge beingbendable from a bridge rest position to provide a bridge pinch forcebetween the nose pads, the bridge pinch force being greater than thefirst and second pad forces.
 2. The eyewear system of claim 1 whereinthe first and second nose pads each comprise a connector and acantilever extending from the connector.
 3. The eyewear system of claim2 wherein the bridge force is a spring force having a spring constantgreater than a spring constant of the cantilever of the first nose padand the second nose pad.
 4. The eyewear system of claim 1 wherein thefirst and second nose pads each comprise a connector that is adjustableto change a width between resting positions of the first and second nosepads.
 5. The eyewear system of claim 1 wherein the nose pads eachcomprise a friction material having a micro texture surface.
 6. Theeyewear system of claim 5 wherein the friction material comprises atextured polymer.
 7. The eyewear system of claim 5 wherein the frictionmaterial comprises a 60-400 grit impregnated material.
 8. The eyewearsystem of claim 1 wherein the bridge is connected to the first andsecond lenses.
 9. The eyewear system of claim 8 wherein the bridgecomprises first and second adjustable connectors adapted to move withrespect to the first and second lenses, respectively, to change aneffective distance between the nose pads.
 10. The eyewear system ofclaim 1 further comprising a case adapted to receive the eyeglasses, thecase and eyeglasses being sized so that the bridge bends from its restposition when the eyeglasses are within the case.
 11. The eyewear systemof claim 10 wherein the case comprises offset frame guides sizes andconfigured with respect to the eyeglasses to engage and fold theeyeglasses as the eyeglasses are inserted into the case.
 12. An eyewearsystem comprising eyeglasses comprising: first and second lenses; firstand second nose pads each comprising a cantilever operably connected tothe first and second lenses, respectively, and adapted to permitrelative movement between the first and second nose pads and the firstand second lenses, respectively, to provide first and second pad forcesresisting relative movement between the first and second nose pads andthe first and second lenses from rest positions; and a bridge operablyconnecting the first and second lenses, the bridge being bendable from abridge rest position to provide a bridge pinch force between the nosepads, the bridge pinch force being greater than the first and second padforces.
 13. The eyewear system of claim 12 wherein the bridge force is aspring force having a spring constant greater than a spring constant ofthe cantilever of the first nose pad and the second nose pad.
 14. Theeyewear system of claim 12 wherein the first and second nose pads eachcomprise an adjustable connector disposed between the cantilever and itsrespective lens to change a width between the first and second nosepads.
 15. The eyewear system of claim 12 wherein the nose pads eachcomprise a friction material having a micro texture surface.
 16. Theeyewear system of claim 15 wherein the friction material comprises atextured polymer.
 17. The eyewear system of claim 15 wherein thefriction material comprises a 60-400 grit impregnated material.
 18. Theeyewear system of claim 12 wherein the bridge is connected to the firstand second lenses.
 19. The eyewear system of claim 18 wherein the bridgecomprises first and second adjustable connectors adapted to move withrespect to the first and second lenses, respectively, to change aneffective distance between the nose pads.
 20. The eyewear system ofclaim 12 further comprising a case adapted to receive the eyeglasses,the case and eyeglasses being sized so that the bridge bends from itsrest position when the eyeglasses are within the case.
 21. The eyewearsystem of claim 20 wherein the case comprises offset frame guides sizesand configured with respect to the eyeglasses to engage and fold theeyeglasses as the eyeglasses are inserted into the case.
 22. A method ofmounting eyeglasses on a user's nose, the method comprising: bending abridge of the eyeglasses from a rest position to generate a bridge pinchforce, the bridge operably connecting first and second lenses of theeyeglasses; contacting first and second nose pads with opposite sides ofthe nose, the first and second nose pads being operably connected to thefirst and second lenses, respectively; moving the first and second nosepads with respect to the first and second lenses to generate first andsecond pad forces less than the bridge pinch force; and applying thebridge pinch force through the nose pads to stably support theeyeglasses on the user's nose.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein thefirst and second nose pads each comprise a cantilever, the moving stepcomprising bending the cantilevers of the first and second nose pads.24. The method of claim 22 further comprising adjusting a position of atleast one of the first and second nose pads with respect to a lens ofthe eyeglasses to change a width between resting positions of the firstand second nose pads.
 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the nose padseach comprise a friction material having a micro texture surface, thecontacting step comprising gripping skin of the user's nose with themicro texture surface.
 26. The method of claim 22 further comprisingmoving the bridge with respect to at least one of first and secondlenses of the eyeglasses to change an effective distance between thenose pads.
 27. The method of claim 22 further comprising bending thebridge from its rest position while inserting the eyeglasses into acase.
 28. The method of claim 27 further comprising engaging theeyeglasses with offset frame guides in the case during the insertingstep to fold the eyeglasses.